Capitol Spotlight: Erica Costa, Senate Fellowship Program

The Capitol’s Fellowship programs are considered some of the toughest to break into, and Erica Costa is no stranger to that challenge. A graduate of the Assembly Fellowship Program, followed by over 15 years of public service experience, she was recently named director of the Senate Fellowship Program at the Center for California Studies at Sacramento State University.

“It is really an incredible honor to be able to do this. I’m thrilled to be able to circle back to the program that gave me my start in public service, and the Capitol Fellows programs are just a wonderful way for folks who are interested and passionate about public service to get their start,” Costa said.

Costa is the granddaughter of immigrant grandparents from Mexico and Portugal. As a first-generation college graduate, Costa found inspiration in how her family approached life. While she’s reluctant to pull on the strings of the American Dream, it’s hard for Costa not to feel like she’s living it.

Growing up in the East Bay, Costa watched as her parents worked tirelessly to provide her with the life she says they weren’t afforded as children of immigrants. She learned work ethic and humility as she observed her father never miss a labor union meeting. That upbringing motivated her to serve the public.

“They wanted me to have options in life. Watching the commitment that they had towards me, and just how hard they worked to get me to that next level, really drove me to want to pursue a career where I was trying to help others, to do good for others and just to contribute in a meaningful way,” Costa said.

Costa landed a fellowship with the Assembly in 2007, right after finishing college at UC Santa Barbara. Over time, working for then-Assemblymembers Sally Lieber and Lori Saldaña, Costa learned the Legislature from top to bottom, rising from legislative aide to chief of staff, always approaching her work with preparation and an inquisitive attitude..

In moments of Capitol chaos—luckily, she says, there weren’t any more than usual—Costa would retreat to the second-floor stairwell, where the windows overlook the West Steps and the city beyond. This was the dream.

“I was so drawn towards this position because I had incredible mentors in the Capitol that took me under their wing and gave me really solid guidance and also emotional support as I was learning how to navigate the legislature, and I think that was really critical in being able to make a career there,” Costa said.

Others around the Capitol could see Costa’s compassion and drive from the start. Alex Vassar, communications manager at the California State Library, met Costa when they began their Fellowship programs back in 2007.

“When you have a program like this, one of the things you really want is someone who is smart but also kind and understanding. And I think she has those attributes, and I think she’ll do a really good job,” Vassar said.

At the core of everything Costa does is her commitment to relationships and working hard for what you want. She says her favorite part of her work over the years is connecting with constituents on policy issues and knowing she could make a positive difference in their lives.

As she advanced in the Capitol, Costa was always prepared to have real, open conversations to best serve constituents and legislators alike. Chris Micheli, McGeorge law professor and principal at the governmental relations firm Snodgrass & Micheli, LLC., worked with her plenty over the years and recognized her ability to always bring questions to build relationships and get to the heart of any debate.

At the core of everything Costa does is her commitment to relationships and working hard for what you want.

“She knows how the Senate operates and, more importantly, how to be a good staffer, particularly in the State Senate but in the legislature in general. In her position, she’s been able to mentor other staff along the way, and that’s a great quality for the fellows,” Micheli said.

Before taking on her latest role, Costa spent two years as district director with then-Assemblymember Kevin McCarty’s team, where she could do some of her favorite things—work with the public.

“I like being able to connect with people. And so that work in the district office was incredible for me, and also a lot of fun. Anything where I can help people directly, really feeds my soul,” Costa said.

In 2019 she left the Capitol for a position where she felt she could fully focus the expertise and knowledge she had amassed during her time in the Legislature, becoming the director of advocacy for the American Lung Association. And when the COVID-19 pandemic hit five months later, her role became more critical than ever.

“I really thought what the American Lung Association was working on were important issues, righteous issues,” Costa said. “Being a part of the lung health conversation during the pandemic was probably the biggest opportunity and, of course, biggest responsibility.”

Amid the high-stakes nature of that work, Costa leaned on the small things that kept her grounded. A lifelong musician, she finds joy in spending her free time behind the piano keys at home, a hobby she’s kept since she was five years old. When the weather permits, you’ll find her out around Sacramento on walks with her husband, friends and family.

“I think hobbies are very, very important to keep yourself grounded, and it’s also important, I think, to be connected to your why. What motivates you, why you’re in this work and to have healthy hobbies,” Costa said. “There’s a lot of science behind being outside and how good it is. How healthy it is for you, and music as well. So those are two things I have consistently kept in my life.”

Leah Lentz and Ellie Appleby are part of Capitol Weekly’s Public Policy Journalism Internship program. They both come to us from Sacramento City College.